This scan is to check the amount of the amniotic fluid (see the 2 cross mark above). Mine was all good protecting little-big-boss all the way

I can’t really figure out which part of which of little-big-boss on this scan..

4 more weeks till my due date, and the doc told me my cervix is 1cm opened! I was a lil’ bit shocked, but then 1cm opened is normally still far from labor..(still it depends). Anyhow, got to be prepared..

★2012/08/17 01:26

The very first experience through my pregnancy was the excitement of knowing that,

“I AM PREGNANT”

I couldn’t believe it when I was proved positive, a life was inside my tummy!..though back then, little-big-boss was still like-a-bean

It was like, “Wow..me becoming a mom!”

Secondly, came the morning sickness experience.. This started before I know I was pregnant.

Luckily it lasted only for 2 weeks after I was proved little-big-boss is inside

I thought morning sickness makes you feel like puking.. that’s what usually dramas or movies made a newly pregnant lady do..

For my case, no puking at all

During these 2 weeks, I just felt totally dizzy and hated the smell of some raw fish and maybe radish. Didn’t feel like eating also.And, dizzy to the max (just exaggerated) to even spend only 5 mins on the computer..

I usually rest on my fluffy rug with my new beans bag cushion reading these

...

Yes, I just finished reading my last 3 series of Harry Potter during my morning sickness period I am always not up-to-date but was quite satisfied that I finally completed this Harry Potter story

Besides that, Yappi introduced me this to read..

百鬼夜行抄 (Hyakkiyakoushou), a comic-series of ghost story.

Though my mom warned me not to read this kind of stories during pregnancy..This series are actually nice and not those grostesque scary type of ghost stories at all. It tells more of the mysterious part of Japanese culture and their superstition beliefs I like

2 weeks past and I thought I need to learn how to be a “mom” while the baby is still inside my tummy..

I didn’t know that I needed to consume foods fortified with Folic Acid (green leafy veges and liver usually contains high folic acid) at least 400μg/day. (In fact, a woman who is planning to have a baby should have start consuming more of foods containing acid folic before they conceived..)

I didn’t know how much is an ideal weight to gain during the whole pregnancy..

I didn’t know it is better to sleep on side ways rather than straight facing the ceiling when tummy is bigger, preferably facing left (heart downwards) for better blood circulation..

I didn’t know all the exercises that are advisable to workout for a smoother delivery later..

I didn’t know you’d get constipation very easily during pregnancy..*I was okay though

I didn’t know etc, etc and etc~

Besides that I have some experienced friends and a sister-in-law who gave me all sorts of advice, I’ve got myself some books in order to gain more knowledge when little-big-boss is growing inside my tummy~

...

Some textbooks from the hospital..

And some more info stuffs, one nappy sample from the government..

In Japan, we have to register to the government once proved pregnant in order to get a record book, “Mother and Child Health Handbook” (母子健康手帳)..

This handbook has all the necessary information on pregnancy, procedures that have to be done, and all the regular health check up schedule for a child up to 6 years old. This handbook is compulsory and has to be presented in every checkup.

The government usually pays most (but not all) of the fees of every prenatal checkups. Different city has different rules and amount.

For my place, this handbook came with money coupons and we usually pay on these coupons.

Other than this, the government also provides an almost full amount for labor and 1 week admission to a hospital. If you choose a cheaper hospital, you’d get the extra income. If you choose an expensive hospital, you’d have to add more to cover up.

With all these books, I guess I’m pretty knowledgeable on pregnancy now haha

During this whole maternity period, I have this hanging on my bag~

Created by Tamahiyo (magazines and books publisher about pregnancy and babies).

This strap was created for other people to take notice and to care when a pregnant lady is outside alone.Not everyone noticed especially during the first few months where the tummy is still not obvious.

This strap then got recognized by the government, campaign was launched, idea spread, and everybody knows

And then, I have this supplement to balance up my diet..

Acid folic, iron, 7 types of vitamin B and calcium

Next, OIL BALM for bloating tummy!

L’Occitane MOM & BABY BALM

I’ve been using this since the very beginning to prevent pregnancy stretch marks Though it is not medically proven that stretch mark can be prevented in any method, but still

Most of all, it’s Yappi’s job to put on the balm + massaging after bath and I enjoyed this moment sooooo much So gonna miss it..

This balm has only one size, small and quite pricey (3,150 yen). Yappi used so much, more than enough at once! He says, “Use more, more moisture, no regrets later on”. And for that, we are now on the 8th one..

Lastly, I have this for my legs!!

Scholl Medi Qtto sleeping stockings Summer limited version

I have an uncomfortable legs lately especially since towards my last trimester of pregnancy..

So, Yappi bought me this medical stockings to see if it helps. We know that during last trimester, it is not a rare thing at all to have a cramp leg or an uncomfortable leg. Blood clots are easier to develop during pregnancy as well. My hospital recommended this kind of stockings might help and this Medi Qtto sleeping stockings is created for a better blood circulation. Hope it helps